By the mid-1980s, the US Army's M21 Sniper Rifles, built on the M14 actions, were wearing out, and suitable replacement parts were scarce. The new wworld's political situation moved the focus of the NATO and the US Army troubles from the Europe to the Mid By the mid-1980s, the US Army's M21 Sniper Rifles, built on the M14 actions, were wearing out, and suitable replacement parts were scarce. The new wworld's political situation moved the focus of the NATO and the US Army troubles from the Europe to the Mid